reloading .38/.357mag using .356dia cast bullets

hitch.bd

hitch.bd

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Has anyone tried reloading .38/.357mag using .356dia cast bullets? I reload for my 9mm (.356 dia cast lead) but havent tried reloading for my .357 mag yet. My ruger P85 9mm doesn't like lead bullets very much.(not good groups at all) Was thinking of buying those jacketed bullets from marstar as soon as I get my $#!t together. Never ordered on line before. If the lead cast will work in my .357 I'll use them for that . at least that will be more accurate than the Ruger
 
hitch.bd said:
Has anyone tried reloading .38/.357mag using .356dia cast bullets? I reload for my 9mm (.356 dia cast lead) but havent tried reloading for my .357 mag yet. My ruger P85 9mm doesn't like lead bullets very much.(not good groups at all) Was thinking of buying those jacketed bullets from marstar as soon as I get my $#!t together. Never ordered on line before. If the lead cast will work in my .357 I'll use them for that . at least that will be more accurate than the Ruger
Click to expand...

i've try that using .356 cast bullet for .38. grouping ok at 7 yd. keep speed below 800fps.
 
.356 diameter is undersized for .38/.357 mag application.

You will probably have major leading problems in your 38/357 revolver because the bullet will not seal the bore and allow hot propellant gases to leak past the bullet, melting lead in the process.
Accuracy will suffer no doubt.

For low velocity loads, undersized bullets may work if you use very soft lead that would upset to fill the bore. Not recommended.

Just buy the proper mold diameter and design. Get both .357 and .358 diameter resizing dies and see which diameter shoots better. Use .357/.358 diameter for 38spl/357 magnum. Serious casters slug their bores and cast/size specific to the gun's bore.
 
Thanks guys. I haven't started to cast yet...don't know if I will. Don't even have casting equipment. I bought a box of cast .356 to reload for my 9mm but it doesn't like them at all.Before someone says that isn't the right size...it says right on the box 9mm (.356). I do have an old Astra model 600/43 that seems to eat the lead just fine. I guess that means I'll have to shoot that a little more often till the lead is gone!
 
.356 bullets are for 9mm. .358" is the standard for loading .357/.38. The ideal bullet diameter for your gun will pass through the cylinder throats with moderate finger pressure. As previously mentioned, undersized bullets will cause leading due to gas cutting.

I'm guessing that these bullets don't have a crimp groove, either. Standard .38/.357 die sets are set up for roll crimping into a crimp groove. Taper crimping works OK in revolvers with mild loads, but roll crimping is required to prevent bullet pull under recoil for high velocity loads.
 
A lot of 9mm's work better with .357 bullets--only catch is with some chambers and some lots of brass they won't chamber--if they will it usually improves accuracy.
 
tjhaile said:
.356 bullets are for 9mm. .358" is the standard for loading .357/.38. The ideal bullet diameter for your gun will pass through the cylinder throats with moderate finger pressure. As previously mentioned, undersized bullets will cause leading due to gas cutting.

I'm guessing that these bullets don't have a crimp groove, either. Standard .38/.357 die sets are set up for roll crimping into a crimp groove. Taper crimping works OK in revolvers with mild loads, but roll crimping is required to prevent bullet pull under recoil for high velocity loads.
Click to expand...
No , no groove just the groove with the red waxlike lube that plugs everything up
 
44Bore said:
A lot of 9mm's work better with .357 bullets--only catch is with some chambers and some lots of brass they won't chamber--if they will it usually improves accuracy.
Click to expand...

As far as my ruger p85 goes it seems to like Factory American Eagle 124gr ammo. I havent tried much else. that and this lead stuff I asked about.
 
P85 on cast

You may want to slug the bore on your P85 before you give up on cast lead. I have a P85 and an Argentina Browning HP.
The Ruger barrel slugs out at .355" and likes .356" bullets but the Browning slugs at .357" and will keyhole .356" so I size 135 grain at .358" for it.
Your pistol may like a larger diameter bullet.

270 totheend
 
Just to clarify I was referring to cast bullet diameter--I don't use .357 jacketed bullets in 9mm. Probably 90% of the handloads I shoot in the 9mm are cast.

44Bore
 
270 totheend said:
You may want to slug the bore on your P85 before you give up on cast lead. I have a P85 and an Argentina Browning HP.
The Ruger barrel slugs out at .355" and likes .356" bullets but the Browning slugs at .357" and will keyhole .356" so I size 135 grain at .358" for it.
Your pistol may like a larger diameter bullet.

270 totheend
Click to expand...

So how do you check this? I'd be interrested to find out more
 
hitch.bd said:
Has anyone tried reloading .38/.357mag using .356dia cast bullets? I reload for my 9mm (.356 dia cast lead) but havent tried reloading for my .357 mag yet. My ruger P85 9mm doesn't like lead bullets very much.(not good groups at all) Was thinking of buying those jacketed bullets from marstar as soon as I get my $#!t together. Never ordered on line before. If the lead cast will work in my .357 I'll use them for that . at least that will be more accurate than the Ruger
Click to expand...

Once I "expanded" the some 9mm lead bullets by punching them in the base with a .2" nail. They didn't shoot very good but didn't lead much either.
Do make sure you don't expand them too much.

edit: now that I think about it, a second punch in the nose would've turned them into hollow points
 
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